Power plant with heat transformation

ABSTRACT

A power plant with heat transfer, in which power is generated by an arbitrary number of heat engines, described above and illustrated in FIGS.  1  to  18 . is disclosed. The heat engines (A) are arranged in series with a cooling medium ( 22 ) and a heating medium ( 30 ) passing through them in a counter flow principal. After exiting the last heat engine the heated-up cooling medium is used as a combustion air. The heating medium ( 30 ) exiting in the opposite direction the last heat engine (A) can be used further on for heating purposes or other heating consumers.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a power plant with heat transformationin which several heat engines as described with the aid of FIGS. 1 to 18below, placed in series, to utilize the available heat either mainly forpower generation or mainly for other purposes, such as heating, or forboth simultaneously in variable ratios.

The in the present invention utilized heat engine that operates withexternal heat sources and operates in accordance with the principle ofthe Stirling cycle in combination with a cycle, similar to the ClausiusRankine cycle.

The individual cycle consists of six changes of state:

-   -   Two isobars, two isochores and two isotherms.

At the same time, but chronologically displaced, several of the cyclesdescribed above, take place in this heat engine. The changes of state,expansion and compression of the individual cycles, affect a commonworking cylinder.

Because of the increasing costs for primary energy from fossil fuels,there is a demand for solutions, which contributes to more efficient useof primary energy. Global warming implicates the avoiding of fossilfuels and the necessity of using regenerative energy. The most commonlyused heat engines like diesel- and internal combustion engines(Otto-engines) are used in the road-, ship- and air traffic, and pollutethe environment strongly by their CO₂ emission. For economic reasons,these engines are usually operated with fuels of fossil origin, such aspetrol, diesel oil, kerosene or natural gas. Increasing researches havebeen made to substitute these fossil fuels by regenerative fuels.Especially researches are done, to use fuels, e.g. hydrogen, rapeseedoil, fermentation gas or other regenerative energy of biomass (e.g., bymeans of the Fischer-Tropsch process).

Mainly steam and gas turbines, combined heat and power (CHP) units andpower generators with diesel or internal combustion engines are the heatengines currently used for power generation. These generators, exceptthe steam generation for steam turbines, operate to a minor extent withregenerative fuels.

All these heat engines have one thing in common, they are only able totransform just a comparatively small part of the used energy, approx.30-40%, into mechanical work, which is equivalent to electric power. Theremaining 60-70% of primary energy is lost as heat energy unless it isused as thermal heat.

In order to utilize this excess energy according to the heatrequirements, different heat engines were developed, which also work atlow temperatures with acceptable efficiency. One of these developmentsis the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), where organic compounds are employedinstead of using water and steam as working substance, whosevaporisation temperatures and vapour pressures allow an operation at lowtemperatures. In recent years some of the ORC-systems have been takeninto operation. By using ORC-systems, regenerative energy likegeothermal power can be transformed into work.

To save fossil fuels, the Stirling engine has been increasinglyexperimented with, since the choice of fuel is insignificant in thisheat engine. Heat production takes place independently of powerproduction. The Stirling engine is already manufactured in series, indifferent versions, by several companies. Amongst others, it is used insmall combined heat and power stations (CHP).

The desire to convert solar power into electricity, implicated importantimpulses to the development of Stirling engines.

In the Stirling heat engine an enclosed gas mass is periodicallywarmed-up and cooled-down Pressure changes caused thereby are convertedinto mechanical work by a working piston. The idealized thermodynamicprocess consists of four changes of state: Compression at constanttemperature (isotherm), heat supply with constant volume (isochore),expansion at constant temperature (isotherm) and heat dissipation withconstant volume (isochore). Using high pressures, the working gas ispushed back and forth between a warm and a cold space. To improveefficiency, a regenerator is switched between these spaces. The gasflowing to the cold side delivers heat to the regenerator and takes upheat in reversed flow.

As a low-temperature heat power plant, the Stirling engine iseconomically hardly usable, since the thermodynamic efficiency is verysmall. Due to mechanical losses, the available output is used mainlyinternally.

The Stirling engine as a hot gas engine, and the steam plants (includingORC plants) according to the Clausius-Rankine cycle, are the only heatengines with external heat production commonly used.

Water or any other substance evaporates under high pressure (isobars) inthe Clausius Rankine cycle. Steam expands isentropically in a turbineinto a low pressure level and is again liquified by condensation withequally prevailing pressure (isobaric). Using pumps, the condensate ispumped (isentropic) on the high pressure level again. At this stage, thecycle is starting over again. The Clausius-Rankine cycle consists of 2isobars and 2 isentropes.

According to the prior art, reference is made to the publications U.S.Pat. No. 4,138,847 “Heat Recuperative Engine” and DE 26 49 941 A1“Stirlingmaschine und Verfahren zum Betreiben derselben”, where a heatengine with heat exchangers is described, whereas a working gas performsan isochoric heat supply and heat dissipation, as well as an isothermalexpansion and compression as change of state between two temperaturelevels. It is the purpose of the invention to utilize waste heat frommany processes, namely by improving the utilisation of the isochoricchanges of state, and simultaneously to obtain a smaller complexconstruction.

The present invention is a heat engine, which has a relatively highefficiency, even at low-temperature operating conditions. Among otherthings, the main purpose of this invention is to recover part of wasteheat of industrial process or power stations, which would normally belost in warm or hot exhaust air. Also part of waste heat, which istransferred normally to the environment by cooling tower or similarprocess, can be recovered from liquid.

By using this heat engine, mainly part of the lost heat is converted inpower, which currently cannot be utilized economically, because of thelow temperature level.

In principle, this invention is based on two cycles (the Stirling- andthe Clausius-Rankine Cycle), which run simultaneously and complementeach other mutually. The Clausius-Rankine cycle takes virtually placewithin the Stirling cycle, so that the isentropes of theClausius-Rankine cycle are replaced by isotherms of the Stirling cycle.The Clausius-Rankine cycle consists of two isobars and two isotherms,where these isotherms are a component of both cycles. (see FIG. 16 to 18in the drawing)

In order to create the possibility of evaporation and condensation, aworking fluid is selected, which has a boiling point at an appropriateselected pressure, within the temperature levels required for theoperation of the heat engine.

The utilized heat exchanger (closed container with large heat transfersurface) is split up into two halves. The two halves are jointedtogether using an insulating layer in between, in such a manner that theheat flow from one halve into the other is minimised. The working fluidhowever is able to flow unhindered as liquid or gas from one half intothe other.

The changes of state of the working fluid are converted into work in aworking cylinder with a free moving piston. Heat exchangers areconnected to the working cylinder by means of connecting pipes withintegrated valves, through which the working fluid between heatexchangers and working cylinders can be exchanged. Because of the freemoving piston, (i.e. the piston is not connected to a crank shaft bymeans of a connecting rod) heat exchangers can be connected to thecylinder on both sides of the piston.

Since several cycles run simultaneously in this invention, several heatexchangers are necessary. The minimum number is 3, which have to beconnected on one side of the working cylinder. At least 6 heatexchangers are necessary with alternate connection to either side of theworking cylinder, 3 on each side. The number of heat exchangers is notlimited. Only an odd number of heat exchangers may be attached to eachside of the working cylinder. The number of both sides must correspond.

A valve is located in each connection pipe, which is opened by means ofan opening mechanism (e.g. cam disk or by means of an electric actuator)during a certain period. During one cycle the valve opens and closes twotimes, once for the compression and once for the expansion stage.

The heat exchangers are arranged in a star shaped manner around theworking cylinder and rigidly connected with it. Together with theworking cylinder they form a rotor, which constantly turns around itsown longitudinal axis. For each entire rotation, a complete cycle takesplace in each heat exchanger.

The piston in the working cylinder is moving free. The different cyclesact from both sides on the piston. While a compression takes place onthe one side, an expansion simultaneously takes place on the other side.

The six changes of state proceed in the following order (see FIG. 17,P-v-diagram or FIG. 18, t-s-diagram).

1. Isochoric Heat Extraction

-   -   The working fluid is cooled in a heat exchanger at a constant        volume. The heat exchanger consists of 2 parts, which are        thermally decoupled in the centre, by an insulating layer. Only        one part of the heat exchanger is cooled down up to condensation        temperature of the working fluid.

2. Isobaric Condensation

-   -   If the condensation temperature is reached, the vapour of the        working fluid proceeds to condense at constant pressure and        temperature. The valve between the working cylinder and heat        exchanger opens and additional vapour of the working fluid        flows, due to the compression, streams into the heat exchanger,        partly because of the negative pressure in the same heat        exchanger, partly because of the external pressure on the piston        in the working cylinder. Due to continuous cooling, more vapour        of the working fluid is condensed.

3. Isothermal Compression

-   -   While the working gas from the working cylinder flows into the        heat exchanger, heat is extracted from the heat exchanger.        Vapour of the working fluid condenses not entirely but densifies        with simultaneous heat extraction. The valve closes.

4. Isochoric Heat Input

-   -   Because of the isothermal compression, a larger mass of the        working fluid is now enclosed in the heat exchanger. During the        continuous rotation, the condensate of the working fluid flows        from the cooled half into the other half of the heat exchanger        and is heated to the upper temperature level by the heating        medium. This temperature is higher than the boiling point of the        working fluid. A part of the working fluid evaporates. In order        to avoid simultaneous condensation in the cooled halve of the        heat exchanger, the connection port between both parts is        mechanically closed or the cooled part of the heat exchanger is        heated in a regeneration process.

5. Isobaric Evaporation

-   -   Heating the heat exchanger to the upper temperature level will        evaporate the working fluid. The condensate of the fluid will        evaporate until the pressure within the heat exchanger reaches        the vapour pressure of the working fluid. The valve is opened        again. Due to the pressure, the working fluid flows out of the        heat exchanger into the working cylinder while more heat is        transferred to the heat exchanger. Due to the falling pressure        and continuous heat supply a further part of the condensate        evaporates

6. Isothermal Expansion

-   -   After the remaining part of the condensate is evaporated, the        vapour of the working fluid continues to expand into the working        cylinder with simultaneous heat supply. The valve closes.

Several heat exchangers are individually connected with the workingcylinder by means of a connecting pipe 4. The same process takes place,in each heat exchanger. The individual processes (illustrated asStirling cycles) of the different heat exchangers are chronologicallydisplaced. In FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C the sequence of the differentprocesses and their relationship between each other is schematicallyillustrated.

A possible design modell of this heat engine, where the Stirling- andthe Clausius-Rankine cycles can both be implemented together, isschematically illustrated in FIG. 12.

The present invention relates to a heat engine, but with reference toFIG. 19 to 21 specially relates to a described power plant with heattransfer.

PRIOR ART

For better utilization of energy heat transformation is applied in manylarge and small power plants. In power plants which operate according tothe Clausius-Rankine cycle, the steam is condensed partially orcompletely in heat exchangers, the remaining steam is then condensed incooling towers or air cooled condensers or in other processes. The heatrecovered in the heat exchangers is now available for heating, districtheating or other applications.

In Organic Rankine cycles part of the heat which originates fromcombustion processes is tapped off in an thermal oil circuit with whichin turn the working fluid of a Organic Rankine cycle is evaporated topropel a steam turbine and power generator in a Clausius-Rankine cycle.Heat that accumulates from condensation of the working fluid is used forheating water or is disposed to atmosphere by means of air cooledcondensers.

In combined heat and power plants (CHP) with internal combustion enginesthe waste heat from cooling water, oil coolers and from combustion gasesis used for heating and other purposes.

Regarding the prior art reference is made to heating plants in whichpart of the generated heat is transformed into power by Sterlingengines.

If the plants described above are operated heat orientated, i.e.operated according to heat demand, a high annual efficiency but a poorutilization factor can be achieved. If the combined heat and power plant(CHP) is operated power orientated, then during times when waste heatcannot be used completely and is dissipated to atmosphere by coolingtowers or air coolers, there will be heat losses. These losses reducethe annual efficiency and utilization factor.

With the present invention the combined heat and power plants can beoperated at full load over the whole year because power or heat or bothtogether can be generated with virtually the same efficiency. Thus amuch higher annual efficiency and utilization factor can be achieved.Power can also be transferred from process waste heat by this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A heat engine is described, which has an external heat source and atleast 3 heat exchangers 1 with contained working gas, which arealternately charged with heating and cooling mediums. The thermodynamicchanges of state in each heat exchanger 1 connected to a workingcylinder 2 and valve actuator 5 and 6 are a) isochoric heat supply, b)isothermal expansion, c) isochoric heat dissipation and d) isothermalcompression.

The heat exchangers 1, connecting tubes 4 and valves 5 are rigidlyconnected to the working cylinder 2 and rotate with these one around thecommon longitudinal axis. During one rotation each heat exchanger 1 isheated up for a half rotation and cooled down for the other halfrotation. Expansion and compression are released by valve 5 in betweenheat exchanger 1 and a common working cylinder 2 as a function of theheating/cooling procedure. Work is performed, in the common workingcylinder 2 by expansion and compression.

The successively following changes of state: Expansion and compressiondo not take place with the same working gas. After the expansion out ofa heated heat exchanger 1 into the working cylinder 2, a compression inanother cooled heat exchanger 1 follows.

Variations of different combinations of heat exchanger 1, workingcylinder 2, connection pipes 4 and valves 5 and varieties withdemonstration for the use of radiation energy are pointed out.

Variations with magnetized working piston 3 and working cylinder 2surrounded by an electrical coil were described, for a direct generationof power as well as working pistons 3 coupled to piston rod, wave andflywheel.

Different variations of this heat engine using a working fluid, whatcondenses and evaporates during the cycle. The heat exchangers 1 aredivided into two parts for these variations, while forming together theenclosed space in which the changes of state of the working fluid isperformed, which are however thermally decoupled among themselves,wherein one part is heated and the other one is cooled. During coolingand compression a part of the working fluid condenses. By theaccordingly selected construction of the heat exchangers 1 and by therotation of the same one, the condensate flows into the heated part.Also during the expansion, the condensate of the working fluidevaporates again with constant heat supply. During the heat supply,condensation in the cooled part of the heat exchanger 1 is avoidedbetween the cooled and heated part, by mechanical locking of theconnections 26.

Expansion and compression are released, by valve 5 between heatexchangers 1 and a common working cylinder 2, as a function of theheating/cooling procedure. In the common working cylinder 2 work isperformed by expansion and compression.

In this variation a thermodynamic cycle with the changes of state: 1.isochoric extraction of heat, 2. isobaric liquefaction, 3. isothermalcompression, 4. isochoric heat input, 5. isobaric evaporation and 6.isothermal expansion becomes realized. In this variation also a solutionfor the use of radiation energy as well as a solution, using a rotarymachine in stead of the working cylinder 2 and working piston 3, weredescribed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing shows:

FIG. 1 a schematic diagram of the basic module, in which the substantialcomponents and their relationship to each other are pointed out in orderto describe the implementation of the Stirling cycle.

FIG. 2 Details of the valve actuator 5 and 6.

FIG. 3 the basic module of FIG. 1, supplemented by electrical coil 8 andmagnet 7 for direct power generation

FIG. 4 the basic module of FIG. 1, supplemented with a pressureequalizing vessel 9, for an undefined operating pressure of the workingfluid

FIG. 5 another design of the basic module, where the heat exchanger 1,connecting pipes 4, valves 5 and valve actuator 6 are arranged on bothsides of the working cylinder 2

FIG. 6 a schematic diagram as shown in FIG. 5, with the simultaneousmedium flow, through oppositely arranged heat exchangers 1.

FIG. 7 a schematic drawing of the invention, where several modules,consisting of connecting tubes 4, valves 5, working cylinder 2 andworking piston 3 are attached to certain heat exchangers 1.

FIG. 8 a schematic model of the basic module designed with heatexchangers 1, which are arranged in a star shaped manner around theworking cylinder 2 and consequently form a rotor. They rotate togetheraround the common longitudinal axis. In the drawing the arrangement andfunction of the connecting tubes 4, the valves 5 as well as the valveactuator 6 are emphasized. The heating and cooling section of the heatexchangers 1 are indicated.

FIG. 9A “Symbol description” and pertaining FIG. 9B “showing stroke 1 tostroke 4” and FIG. 9C “showing stroke 5 to stroke 6”, an illustration ofthe process sequence based on the model shown in FIG. 8. The respectivepiston movement, the valve position and the progress of the individualheat exchanger in the Stirling comparative cycle, are schematicallyillustrated.

FIG. 10 a schematic model of the basic module, designed with 3 heatexchangers 1 attached on either side of the working cylinder 2. Also inthis model the heat exchangers 1 are arranged in a star shaped manneraround the working cylinder 2 and consequently form a rotor. Togetherthey rotate around the common longitudinal axis. The heating and coolingsections of the heat exchangers 1 are identified.

FIG. 11 Model, as shown in FIG. 10, supplemented with a regeneratorconsisting of circulating fan 10 or circulation pump 10 with circulationair ducts 11 or circulation pipes 11 (liquids).

FIG. 12 a schematic drawing of the rotor with the combinedStirling-Clausius-Rankine cycle, with 10 heat exchangers 1, which arearranged in a star shaped manner around the working cylinder 2. Half ofthe heat exchangers 1 are attached to the front side and the other halfare attached to the rear side of the working cylinder 2. The heating,cooling and regeneration sections (circulating air) are identified.

FIG. 13A “Symbols Description” and the pertaining FIG. 13B “diagramsstroke 1 to stroke 4” and FIG. 13C “diagram stroke 5 to stroke 7”, adiagram of the first 7 strokes of 10 strokes of the process, based onthe model presented in FIG. 6, but each with 5 pcs. of heat exchangers 1on either side of the working cylinder 2.

FIG. 14A “Symbols Description” and the pertaining FIG. 14B “diagram ofstroke 1 to stroke 4” and 14C “diagram stroke 5 to stroke 7”, aschematic diagram of the process, where all heat exchangers 1 arearranged in a star shaped manner around the centre line, but alternatelyattached to one or the other side of the working cylinder 2.

FIG. 15 a schematic diagram of the basic module, with a heat exchanger 1shaped as radiation absorber, whereas a possible construction of theshade elements and the cladding of the radiated absorber surface areschematically shown.

FIG. 16 a pressure enthalpy diagram with CCl₂Fl₂, Freon R12 as workingfluid.

FIG. 17 P-v-diagram related to the P-h-diagram described in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 T-s-diagram related to the P-h-diagram described in FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 possible construction of the invented CHP plant, schematicallyillustrated

FIG. 20 heat engine as described in detail below and schematicallyillustrated in FIGS. 1 to 18.

FIG. 21 diagram, illustrating the approximate temperature profile of thecooling and heating media

DEFINITION OF TERMS

In the following description the medium with the lower temperature isnamed “cooling medium” and that with the higher temperature “heatingmedium”.

In the following description, the term “to heat” is used for theprocedures “to warm” as well as “to heat”.

Description of the Cycle Corresponding to the “Stirling ComparativeCycle”

The thermodynamic process consists of 4 changes of state, with asequence corresponding to the Stirling cycle

In a closed space with large heat exchange surface (subsequently namedheat exchanger 1), the working gas is heated or cooled periodically by a(liquid or gas) medium streaming around the closed space. It is alsopossible to heat up the working fluid by radiation energy (e.g. solarenergy). Pressure differences caused by heating or cooling aretransferred onto the working piston 3 after valve 5 between the enclosedspace in heat exchanger 1 and the stroke volume of the cylinder has beenopened.

The four changes of state of the working fluid are:

-   -   1. Heat supply at constant volume (isochore)—valve 5 closed.    -   2. Expansion at constant temperature (isotherm) (with heat        addition)—valve 5 opened.    -   3. Heat supply with constant volume (isochore)—valve 5 closed    -   4. Compression at constant temperature (isotherm) (with heat        extraction)—valve 5 opened.

The main difference between the Stirling engine and this invention is,that the compression stroke following the expansion stroke of the piston3, is not from the same heat exchanger 1. There are at least three heatexchangers 1 necessary, which are alternately and periodically warmed upor cooled down.

In each individual heat exchanger 1 in conjunction with the commonworking cylinder 2 and piston 3, a separate cyclic process is takingplace but chronologically displaced to all other heat exchangers 1.

In the common working cylinder 2, the individual Stirling cycleprocesses are co-ordinated in such a manner that an isothermalcompression of a heat exchanger 1 follows an isothermal expansion ofanother heat exchanger 1 etc. After this compression an isothermalexpansion of a further heat exchanger 1 follows again etc.

Similar to a Stirling engine no internal combustion is taking place.Heat and power are generated separately. That means that this heatengine can also be operated with dedicated external heat source and thusrepresents a self-sufficient plant. Anything producing heat can be usedas primary energy.

Compression and expansion takes place mainly outside the pistondisplacement space, therefore no flywheel or similar is required.Mechanical linkages afflicted with friction losses impairing theefficiency of the machine, are not required. Contrary to conventionalheat engines the movement of the piston 3 can be converted directly intoelectricity. Electrical windings around a non-metal working cylinder 2and a magnetized piston 3 are required, for this purpose.

Construction of the Basic Module

The heat engine is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8.

Essentially the illustrated heat engine comprises:

-   -   1. Heat exchangers 1A, 1B and 1C, which are in form of a rotor        arranged in a star shaped manner around a working cylinder 2 and        rotate together with it around its longitudinal axis. The heat        exchangers 1A, 1B, 1C etc. are all referred to as 1. Due to the        rotating motion the separate heat exchangers 1 move through a        cooling medium stream for half of one rotation (cooling section)        and for half of one rotation through the heating medium stream        (heating section), so that they are alternately immerged in a        cooling- and a heating medium.        -   Heat exchangers 1 are closed spaces with a single connection            to the working cylinder 2. The heat exchangers 1 are located            in a pipe, which covers them from the outside and form in            this way an outside cover 13 (FIG. 10). Similarly, a pipe is            provided, which is located on the inside, between heat            exchanger 1 and working cylinder 2 that forms an inside            cover 14. These covers 13 and 14 have the same length as the            heat exchangers 1. They form a annulus duct, in which the            heat exchangers 1 are located. Between the individual heat            exchangers 1 separating partitions 15 are provided, which            reach from the outside to the inside cover. Consequently            each heat exchanger 1 is located in a duct, through which            the heating and cooling medium is conducted and therefore            surround the individual heat exchanger 1.        -   Each heat exchanger 1 is, except for one opening, entirely            closed. The opening is connected to the working cylinder            with a pipe 4 and a valve 5 through which the working gas            can flow in and out.        -   The heat exchangers 1 are manufactured from a material with            very good heat conducting properties (e.g. Ag, Cu or Al).    -   2. In a working cylinder 2 a piston 3 can move freely back and        forth. To achieve good efficiency, a surface with low thermal        capacity and bad heat conductivity is required on the inside, as        well as good sliding quality (e.g. Teflon) (as little heat as        possible should be transferred from the working gas to the        working cylinder 2 or vice versa).        -   For power generation an electric coil 8 is placed around the            working cylinder 2. The working cylinder 2 itself is            manufactured of a non-metallic material (glass, ceramic(s),            plastic or similar). At one or at both sides openings are            provided, to which the connecting pipes 4 are connected with            the space inside the working cylinder 2.    -   3. A free moving piston 3 without piston rods or other        mechanical connections, which can freely move back and forth in        the working cylinder 2. Similar to a petrol engine, the piston 3        is sealed off against the walls of the working cylinder 2.        -   In order to improve the efficiency, surfaces of the piston            3, which are in contact with the working gas are provided            with a surface with low thermal capacity and bad heat            conductivity. To minimize acceleration work, it is            beneficial to keep the mass of the piston 3 as small as            possible.        -   In order to be able to generate electricity directly from            the piston movement, the piston 3 must be magnetized. This            magnetization is described in number 7.    -   4. Connections, in particular connecting pipes 4A, 4B and 4C,        are connections which connect the internal space of the        individual heat exchangers 1A, 1B and 1C with that of the        working cylinder 2. Connections 4A, 4B and 4C etc. will in total        be referred to as 4. These connecting pipes 4 are kept as short        as possible to avoid unnecessary dead space. If possible the        connecting pipes 4 should have a small thermal capacity and heat        conductivity. Wherever these connecting tubes 4 are not        surrounded by cooling-/heating medium, they are isolated against        heat exchange with the environment. Control valves 5 are        installed, in these connecting pipes 4, as far as they are not        integrated in the working cylinder 2.    -   5. Control valves 5, consisting of individual valves 5; each        installed in the connecting pipe 4 between heat exchanger 1 and        working cylinder 2 and govern the actual process. The        application not the construction of these valves 5 is a        substantial characteristic of this invention.        -   For each heat exchanger 1A, 1B and 1C a valve 5A, 5B and 5C            is provided. Valves 5A, 5B, 5C etc. will in total be            referred to as 5. The valves 5 will alternately be opened            and closed, in order to connect or separate the space inside            the individual heat exchangers 1 with that of the working            cylinder 2. The space in each heat exchanger 1 is directly            connected with that in the working cylinder 2 when valve 5            is opened. The valves 5 are hermetically sealed and are            designed for the maximum pressure difference between heat            exchanger 1 and working cylinder 2.    -   6. A valve actuator 6 is designed to open and close the valves        5, in the right moment. The valve actuation 6 can be effected        mechanically (e.g. with a cam shaft/-disk) or        electrically/electronically. The valves 5 are opened and closed        in the same rhythm, as the heating and cooling of the heat        exchanger 1. At the end of a heating or a cooling process of a        heat exchanger 1, the valve 5, which is assigned to the heat        exchanger 1, is opened and by doing so, it initiates the        expansion or compression. After expansion or compression, but        before the heat exchanger 1 changes from the heating to the        cooling medium, or vice versa, valve 5 closes.    -   7. Magnetization of the working piston 3 with permanent magnets        7 or with excitation coil. The excitation power is transferred        by means of sliding contacts from the cylinder 2 to the piston        3.    -   8. An electrical coil 8, placed around the working cylinder 2,        in which, as a result of the movement of the magnetized piston        3, power is produced.    -   9. A pressure balancing tank 9, which is used only for working        cylinders 2 where heat exchangers 1 are attached on one side        only. A pressure tank filled with working gas, which provides        the pressure balance, if the static pressure in the heat        exchangers 1 deviates from the atmospheric pressure.    -   10. A circulation air fan 10 or a circulation pump 10, which        circulates the medium, from the heated heat exchangers 1,        immediately after the expansion procedure (after closing the        valve 5) to the cooled heat exchangers 1 at the end of the        compression phase (after closing the valve 5). With this        circulation a part of the heat, that is stored in the heat        exchanger walls, is exchanged, in order to heat-up the cooled        heat exchangers 1 and cool-down the heated ones. By this        regeneration process more heat of the heating medium is        available to heat the working gas.    -   11 Circulation ducts or pipes 11, which conduct the        heating/cooling medium of the heated heat exchangers 1 to the        cooled heat exchangers 1 and from there to fan/pump 10 and back        to the heated heat exchangers 1 (see FIG. 11).    -   12 An isolated segregation wall 12 in between the heating and        cooling sector (see FIG. 12) in form of a pipe, to separate the        heating medium from the cooling medium within the rotor.    -   13 An external cover 13 around the heat exchangers 1 and part of        the duct which conduct the heating/cooling medium around the        heat exchangers 1. Together with the internal cover 14 and the        segregation partitions 15, the external cover 13 forms an        annulus-section shaped duct around each individual heat        exchanger 1.    -   14 An internal cover 14 is provided to construct a pipe-shaped        border of the medium duct towards the working cylinder 2.        Together with the external cover 13 and the segregation        partitions 15, the internal cover 14 forms an annulus-section        shaped duct around each individual heat exchanger 1.    -   15 The segregation partitions 15 are limitations between the        individual heat exchangers 1. Together with the internal cover        14 and external cover 13 they conduct the heating/cooling medium        during the rotation around the respective heat exchangers 1.        Description of the Process with the Aid of the Basic Module

The process cycle is explained on the basis of a model, with warm air asenergy source. This model is illustrated schematically in FIG. 8. Theprocess sequence is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C.

The model consists of 3 heat exchangers 1, which are arranged in a starshaped manner around the working cylinder 2. The angle between theneighbouring heat exchangers 1 amounts to 120° each. The heat exchangers1 are rigidly connected with the working cylinder 2 and rotate togetherwith it, as well as with the external cover 13 and internal cover 14,around its longitudinal axis. The heat exchangers 1 alternately moveinto spaces, through which heating or cooling media flow, which arecalled heating and cooling zones in FIG. 8. Ducts that conduct thecooling and heating media, are connected to the in and outflow of theheat exchanger's annulus shaped duct. Each of the two kinds of media, isdirected to half of the annulus, in which the heat exchangers 1 arelocated.

In this model, the valve actuator 6 is represented as cam disk, and isarranged in such a manner, that by rotation of the rotor the tappets ofthe valves 5 follow the outlines of the cam disk 6. The cam disk itselfis fixed. It has two opposing cams. They are arranged in such a manner,that the valves 5 are opened at that moment, when the corresponding heatexchanger 1 covers approximately ⅔ of the respective cooling or heatingzones. Valve 5 closes shortly before the heat exchanger 1 of the coolingmedium crosses over to the heating medium (or vice versa).

The process in the individual heat exchangers 1 proceeds asschematically illustrated in FIG. 9A to 9C. In this model it is assumed,that the rotation of the heat exchangers 1 and working cylinder 2 occursby means of an external drive.

Stroke 1:

The heat exchanger 1A is already immerged in a hot air stream and theenclosed working gas is already warmed up. By heating-up and through thelimited space the pressure in the heat exchanger 1A increases at aconstant volume (isochores). By rotation the cam plate 6 opens valve 5A.Working gas which is under pressure expands into the working cylinder 2and performs work by movement of the piston 3. During the expansion, theheat exchanger 1A is still immerged in hot air. Consequently anisothermal expansion takes place.

Stroke 2:

While the piston 3 moves away from the valve 5A, the working cylinder 2and heat exchangers 1 continue with the rotation and the valve 5Acloses. At the same time another valve 5B opens, which now connects thespace in the working cylinder 2 with that of the heat exchanger 1B. Theheat exchanger 1B was immerged in the cooling medium. In the heatexchanger 1B concerned, the enclosed gas, was cooled down with constantvolume, resulting in a negative pressure. By opening the valve 5B, gasfrom the working cylinder 2 is compressed into heat exchanger 1B and thepiston 3 moves back to the valve 5B, because of the pressure difference.Since the heat exchanger 1B is constantly immerged in a cooling mediumstream and the working gas is deprived of heat during this compressionprocedure, it becomes an isothermal compression.

At this time heat exchanger 1A is already partly immerged in a cold airstream.

Stroke 3:

While rotating and the piston 3 having moved back and forth, the thirdheat exchanger 1C was immerged in a heating medium. With constantvolume, the pressure of the working gas in the heat exchanger 1Cincreased. By opening the valve 5C, the working gas expandsisothermically from the heat exchanger 1C into the working cylinder 2and pushes the pistons 3 away from the valve 5.

Stroke 4:

While the piston 3 is moving away and due to the rotation, the heatexchanger 1A was immerged in cooling medium. Since the valve 5A isclosed, heat was extracted from the working gas in a constant volume(isochores). Thereby a negative pressure of the working gas developed inthe heat exchanger 1A. After further rotation the valve 5A opens. Due tothe negative pressure the pistons 3 is returned again.

Stroke 5:

The heat, which was supplied to the working gas in the heat exchanger 1Bby the heating medium and due to the constant volume a positive pressurehas developed in the heat exchanger 1B, which is able to expand byopening the valve 5B to the working cylinder 2. The piston 3 is forcedaway again by this (isothermal) expansion.

Stroke 6:

The heat, which was now extracted from the working gas in the heatexchanger 1C by the cold medium and at a constant volume in the heatexchanger 1C has produced a negative pressure. When opening the valve5C, the working gas from the working cylinder 2 will compress into theheat exchanger 1C. The piston 3 returns back again due to this(isothermal) compression.

After stroke 6 the procedure is repeated staffing from stroke 1. Foreach complete rotation of the rotor, each heat exchanger 1 is connectedtwice to the working cylinder 2 by means of valves 5, once for theexpansion and once for the compression phase.

With the external drive a speed regulation of the rotor, is possible, inorder to optimize the performance of the different cycles, e.g. withchanging parameters of the heating or cooling medium.

First Variation to the Basic Module

(See FIG. 3)

Heat engine, as described for the basic module, but with a workingcylinder 2, which is made of a non-metallic material (glass, ceramic,plastic or similar). A wire coil 8 placed around the working cylinder 2for power generation.

The free moving piston 3 is magnetized by permanent magnets 7, or bymeans of electric excitation. By moving the piston 3 back and forth,power is produced in the coils 8 around the working cylinder 2.

Second Variation of the Basic Module

(see FIG. 4)

If the working cylinder 2 is open to the atmosphere, a one-sided load onthe piston 3 is affected by working gas, when the static pressure of theworking gas deviates from the atmospheric pressure. The choice of theworking gas is substantially limited by this. If it should be necessaryto work with pressures, other than the atmospheric pressure, anequalizing pressure vessel is attached to the open side of the piston 3,which shall provided the necessary counter-pressure.

Third Variation of the Basic Module

(See FIG. 5 and FIG. 13)

It is apparent, to arrange heat exchangers 1, connecting pipes 4 andvalves 5 symmetrically on both sides of the working cylinder 2, insteadof pressure balancing tank 9 described before.

In this case, the succession of the valve 5 operation on both sides ofthe piston 3 is co-ordinated in such a manner, to allow expansion at oneside of the piston 3 and compression at the other side simultaneously.

The process of such a double acting aggregate is illustrated in FIG. 13,but with 5 heat exchangers on each side of the working cylinder 2.

Fourth Variation of the Basic Module

(See FIG. 6 and FIG. 13)

This variation mainly corresponds to the third variation with thedifference, that heat exchangers 1, which are attached to the rear sideof the working cylinder 2 are situated directly in-line behind those atthe front side, allowing the heating cooling medium to pass the heatexchangers 1 on the front side as well as those at the rear side. Indoing so, the heating and cooling medium will always simultaneously passthrough successively positioned heat exchangers 1. (FIG. 13)

Fifth Variation of the Basic Module

(See FIGS. 10 and 14)

With regard to the working cylinder 2 and piston 3, including theconnections 4 of the heat exchangers 1, this variation corresponds tothose of variations three and four. In this variation all heatexchangers 1, are arranged in a star shaped manner around the workingcylinder 2. A valve actuator 6 is required on each side of the workingcylinder 2. The heat exchangers 1 alternately are attached to the front,and the rear side of the working cylinder 2. If half of the total sum ofall heat exchangers 1 equals an odd number, with each angle of rotationof the rotor, one heat exchanger 1 always is connected to one side ofthe working cylinder 2 and another heat exchanger 1 is connected to theopposite side of the working cylinder 2. As shown in FIG. 14, valves 5always will connect heat exchangers 1 with different conditions of theworking gas to the working cylinder 2. The process occurs as shown inFIG. 14.

Sixth Variation of the Basic Module

(See FIG. 11)

It requires substantially more energy, to alternately heat and coot theheat exchanger 1 itself, the actual container of the working gas, thanto heat or cool the working gas itself. Therefore a lot of energy islost, which actually should be recovered. To reduce this energy wastage,a regenerator for a module, as described in the fifth variation, isrequired.

The regenerator is a circulation system, with which the heat of theheated heat exchangers 1 is utilized by circulating the cooling/heatingmedium to heat the cooled heat exchangers 1 and simultaneously to becooled itself by the medium that has been cooled by heat exchangers 1which have passed through the cooling media.

In case of gaseous heating/cooling media, the regenerator consists of afan 10 or in case of liquid media of a pump 10 and re-circulation ductsor pipes 11 that return the media from one segment of the rotor thatpassed the heating section, to another section that passed the coolingsection, and back again.

Seventh Variation of the Basic Module with Radiation Energy as PrimaryEnergy

(see FIG. 15)

The principle of the basic module is maintained. Instead of the ductsfor heating and cooling media, the heat exchangers 1 are designed asradiation absorbers. The function of working cylinders 2, pistons 3 andvalves 5, as described in the basic module, remains unchanged.

The heat exchangers 1 (as absorbers) are aligned in such a manner, thatthe available radiant heat can be optimally absorbed. They are flatshaped and coated with an absorbing coating. Since the absorbed heatmust be transferred to the environment again, a construction isprovided, which permits an optimal convection.

Similar to the basic module, only half of the absorbing surface of theheat exchangers 1 is exposed to radiation. The other half is shadowed.

Half of the heat exchangers 1, which are exposed to radiation, shouldabsorb heat as much as possible and should thus be protected againstloss by convection. The heat exchangers 1 with working cylinders 2,connecting tubes 4 and valves 5 rotate around the longitudinal axis ofthe working cylinder 2 as described in the basic module. By doing so,the heat exchangers 1 are heated alternately by radiation and cooledagain, by emitting heat to the environment. As described for the basicmodule, valves 5 are actuated in such a manner, that alternately acooled and heated heat exchanger 1 is connected with the workingcylinder 2, in order to perform work by expansion or compression.

Eighth Variation of the Basic Module with Radiation Energy as PrimaryEnergy

(See FIGS. 14 and 15)

Heat engines, as described in variation seven with the variation thathalf of the heat exchangers 1 are attached to one side, the other halfis attached to the other side of the working cylinder 2. The heatexchangers 1 are all on the same side of the working cylinder 2 and arearranged in a star shaped manner around the cylinder forming the shapeof a disk. The process sequence corresponds to that described invariation five and illustrated in FIG. 14.

Ninth Variation of the Basic Module

The Clausius Rankine Cycle

Because of the substantially larger quantity of energy, which isrequired to heat up or cool down the heat exchanger the actual containerof the working fluid, in comparison to the working fluid itself latentheat of vaporization is used, which represents a multiple of the thermalcapacity of the working fluid. Condensing or evaporating the workingfluid at the wall of the heat exchanger requires a substantially largeramount of energy flow than only heating or cooling the working fluid.

The possibility exists to carry the condensate, which has asubstantially smaller specific volume than the gaseous aggregate, fromthe cold zone into the warm zone (comparative with the Clausius-Rankinecycle, where the condensate is pumped into the high pressure zone.). Inthe high pressure zone, the increase of volume caused by evaporation isused, to perform work.

In order to integrate the Clausius-Rankine cycle into the alreadydescribed Stirling cycle, some modifications have to be made to the heatexchangers 1. Each individual heat exchanger 1 is divided into twohalves (see FIG. 12). In the centre, the two halves are connected withan intermediate insulating layer. The insulating layer provides athermal decoupling of the two halves, so that the heat will not betransferred from one half to the other, by means of the metallic wallsof the heat exchanger.

As described in variation six, the heat exchangers 1 are arranged in astar shaped manner around the working cylinder 2 and are alternatelyconnected to the front and rear side of the working cylinder 2. Also inthis variation, the heat exchangers 1 rotate together with the workingcylinder 2 around the longitudinal axis and form therefore a so calledrotor. Exactly as described in the sixth variation, on each sidealternately compressions and expansions are released by means of thevalve actuators 6. Simultaneously an expansion will take place at therear and a compression at the front of the cylinder, or vice versa.

The divided heat exchangers 1 used in this variation, are built in sucha manner, that the outer half of the separate heat exchangers 1 areexposed to the cold medium while the inner halve (that are closer to theworking cylinder 2) are exposed to the heating medium. In the spacebetween the separate heat exchangers 1, a cylindrical divider 12 ispositioned, with which the heating medium is separated from the coolingmedium, within the rotor. Outside of the the heat exchangers 1 as wellas on the inside (between heat exchangers 1 and working cylinder 2)there are concentrically arranged “pipes” 13 and 14, which together withthe cylindrical partition 12, in the middle of the heat exchangers,define two annulus ducts, each containing the “cooled” and “heated”halves of the heat exchanger respectively. In the drawing these pipesare called the external 13 and internal 14 cover.

Additionally, each individual heat exchanger 1 is separated from theneighbouring heat exchangers 1 by a segregation partition 15, whichextends from the external cover 13 to the internal cover 14. With theaid of these segregation partitions 15, the heating and cooling mediaare channelled through the rotor. Between two segregation partitions 15,there is just one heat exchanger 1 in each segment.

Ducts carrying the heating or cooling media are attached to both facesof the rotor. The ducts with the heating medium are attached to theupper semi-circle of the internal annulus shaped channel, the coolingmedium pipes are attached to the lower semi-circle of the outsideannulus channel. Only half of the respective annuli are connected toheating or cooling medium, since the heating and cooling takes placealternately.

The cooling process starts after closing valve 5 at the end of theexpansion phase within the heating zone. The heating process startsafter closing valve 5 at the end of the compression phase within thecooling zone.

The working fluid, in the closed heat exchanger 1 condenses on thesurface of the heat exchanger wall, which has a temperature below dewpoint of the working fluid. Condensation will prevail until the pressurewithin the closed heat exchanger 1 corresponds with the vapour pressureof the working fluid. In this case, the entire wall of the “cooled” halfof the heat exchanger will have this temperature, because the coolingmedium of this half of the heat exchanger 1 constantly extracts thecondensation heat.

Since the heated half of the heat exchanger 1 is communicatinglyconnected with the cooled half, the condensate in this part wouldevaporate, if it could flow thereto. Since the (previously) heated partof the heat exchanger 1 is positioned, during the cooling process, abovethe cooled half, it is physically not possible.

With the heated part of the heat exchanger 1, this is different. If theworking fluid evaporates with constant heat supply, vapour will condenseagain, due to the communicating connection to the cooled part (describedbefore). This procedure will continue, until the wall of the heatexchanger (now without extraction of heat) reaches the vapour pressuretemperature of the working fluid. To avoid this, three possibilities areconsidered:

-   -   1. The connection(s) of the opening between heated and cooled        halves is (are) mechanically closed.    -   2. There is a kind of regeneration, similar as already described        in the “sixth variation”, where the cooling/heating medium        between the heated section of the inside annulus, which follows        directly after closing of the “expansion valve” 5, is exchanged        by fan 10 or pump 10, with the cooled section, which follows        directly the “compression valve” 5. Thereby the heat of the        heated part of the heat exchanger wall can be used to heat up        the cooled heat exchanger wall. Depending on the efficiency of        this regeneration the quantity of the condensing working fluid        can be reduced.    -   3. A combination of the two aforementioned methods.

Considering the described design features the Clausius-Rankine cycle cannow be explained. Refer to FIG. 12 “Design features of the StirlingClausius Rankine heat engine” and FIG. 16 to 18 “Thermodynamiccomparative cycles of the Stirling-Clausius-Rankine heat engine”.Dichlorodifluoromethane (Cl₂Fl₂CH), Frigen R12 was used for this exampleas working fluid. The reference temperatures for this example areselected to be 60° C. as the upper temperature level and 20° C. as thelower temperature level.

Due to rotation of the rotor, the outer cooled half of a heat exchanger1 is located at times underneath, at times above the heated half. Ittherefore makes sense to select the cooling zone such, that during thecooling procedure the cooled half of the heat exchangers 1 is located atthe bottom. The formed condensate is collected in the lower and henceouter region of the heat exchanger 1. Due to rotation, the cooled halfmoves to the top of the heated half. At a certain position thecondensate will flow from the cooled into the heated half. (Thisprocedure replaces the feed pump in the classical Clausius-Rankineprocess). The largest mass of the working medium is now located on theheated side of the heat exchanger 1. The evaporation process begins. Inorder to avoid simultaneous condensation on the cooled half of the heatexchanger, the connection ports between the heated and cooled halves aremechanically closed.

To illustrate the sequence of the cycle with reference to FIG. 12 of thedrawing the process starts with the isochoric cooling. Directly afterclosing the expansion valve 5, the heat exchanger 1 in question islocated in the cooling zone. Heat is constantly extracted from the heatexchanger 1 in this zone. The working medium is condensing until vapourpressure (of the working fluid) has reached the temperature of thecooling medium. Since valve 5 is closed during this procedure, the totalvolume stays constant within the heat exchanger 1.

Due to rotation the point, at which the valve 5 opens toward the workingcylinder 2, is reached. Valve 5 now opens and connects the space in theheat exchanger 1 with that of the working cylinder 2. Because ofnegative pressure in the heat exchanger 1 and because the expansion ofthe simultaneous process on the other side of the working piston 3 theworking gas flows from the working cylinder 2 into the heat exchanger 1.During this procedure and during the time after closing the(compression) valve 5, the working fluid condenses until vapour pressurecorresponding to the temperature is reached. (FIG. 17. point 2 to point3). During compression of the working gas, heat is constantly extractedfrom the heat exchanger 1, by the cooling medium. An isothermalcompression is taking place. (FIG. 17. point 3 to point 4). This changeof state belongs as well to the Stirling cycle described before as tothe Clausius-Rankine cycle described here. By the isothermal andnon-isentropic compression of the working gas, the herein describedClausius-Rankine cycle deviates from the classical cycle.

With a closed valve 5, heat is constantly supplied to the heat exchanger1 (FIG. 17. point 4 to point 5).

Due to rotation of the rotor the point is reached, where the cooled halfof the heat exchanger 1 moves over the heated half and the condensate ofthe working fluid flows into the heated half. The connection portsbetween the cooled and heated halves are mechanically closed. While heatis constantly supplied through the heating medium in the heated half,the condensate evaporates. The evaporation is taking place until thevapour pressure of the working fluid has been reached, now at the uppertemperature level, (FIG. 17, point 5 to point 5′).

With further rotation, the point is reached, where valve 5 opens towardthe working cylinder 2 for the second time during the cycle. Valve 5opens and now connects the space within heat exchanger 1 with that ofworking cylinder 2. The positive pressure in heat exchanger 1 and thecompression taking place simultaneously on the other side of workingpiston 3, force the gaseous working fluid out of the heat exchanger 1into the working cylinder 2. During this expansion procedure, heat isconstantly supplied to the heat exchanger 1 by the heating medium.Initially the evaporation process is continued, then followed by anisothermal expansion. This change of state belongs as well to thepreviously described Stirling cycle as to the Clausius-Rankine cycle,described herein. By isothermal and non-isentropic expansion of theworking gas, the Clausius-Rankine cycle, described herein, also differsfrom the classical cycle.

The connection between the heated and the cooled halves is againmechanically opened.

After closure of valve 5, the process starts from the beginning.

Tenth Variation of the Basic Module

A heat engine, as described in the ninth variation, with the differencethat the heated part of the heat exchanger 1 is designed as an absorberfor radiation energy, instead of a heat exchanger. The cooled part canbe designed for any form of heat transfer, e.g. free convection, watercooling, heat exchanger for gaseous or liquid cooling media etc. Workingcylinders 2, piston 3, connecting pipes 4, valve 5, valve actuators 6etc. have the same function as described in the ninth variation,together with the heat exchangers 1 they rotate around a common axis. Inthis variation, the connections between the heated and cooled part ofheat exchangers 1 are closed during the heating process.

According to the description in the seventh variation, the absorbingsurface of the heat exchanger 1, which is exposed to radiation, isprotected against convection losses. For this purpose a glass covering19 at the front side and an enclosure 20 to 22 with reflecting surfacetowards the absorber behind, is provided. The cooled part of heatexchanger 1 is shaded against radiation energy, in an analogue manner asdescribed in the seventh variation.

Eleventh Variation

In this variation a rotor with heat exchangers 1, connecting pipes 4,valves 5 and valve actuator 6 are utilized as described in the ninthvariation, but without working cylinder 2 and piston 3. That is why onlyone not two valve actuators 6 is required, (which are arranged on bothsides of the working cylinder 2) but compression and expansion of allheat exchangers 1 take place at the same valve actuators 6.

Instead of the working piston 3 a rotating machine is utilized, e.g. arotary-piston engine, reversed rotary screw compressor, reversedmultiple cell compressor, turbine or similar, where expanding workinggas can expand. Since the valves 5 of the described rotor, consisting ofheat exchanger 1, connecting pipes 4, working cylinder 2 etc. alwaysopens at the same place for an expansion, the expanding working gas isintroduced to a fixed pipe by means of a suitable valve construction.This introduces the working gas into the high pressure side of therotating machine. For the compression, the working gas can be carriedback to the heat exchangers 1, again in an analogue manner, by means ofa pipe running from the low pressure side of the rotating machine up tothe place, where valves 5 open for compression procedure. With such amachine a rotating shaft is available, which can propel a powergenerator or any other machine.

The rotating motion can also be used to propel the rotor of the heatexchanger. By carefully tuning the rotating speeds of rotor and rotarymachine, a correct quantity of available working gas for the rotarymachine is guaranteed.

An isentropic expansion takes place at this variation, therefore itprovides a smaller thermodynamic efficiency in relation to the othervariations.

Deviations of this Invention from the State of Art

The heat engine of this invention is operated with an external heatsource, therefore it differs from all heat engines with internalcombustion.

In a variation of this heat engine the Stirling cycle is combined with aClausius-Rankine cycle, with 6 changes of state. Thus this inventiondiffers from conventional machines, which run either with a Stirlingcycle only or with a Clausius-Rankine cycle only.

The most substantial difference to the conventional technologies existsin the interaction of different cycles on one combined working cylinder2. With a completed cycle of this heat engine, the working gas orworking fluid has passed within each individual heat exchanger 1 througha complete Stirling cycle with four changes of state or a completeStirling-Clausius-Rankine cycle with 6 changes of state, i.e. within theindividual heat exchangers 1 and combined working cylinder 2. Each valve5 has opened and closed twice, which means that each heat exchanger 1experienced one expansion and one compression in one revolution of therotor.

Involved is a heat engine, which in comparison to other heat engines,comprises a few moving parts, requires little dead space and has veryfew internal losses. The movable parts are a free moving working piston3 inside a working cylinder 2 and a rotary rotor consisting of: heatexchanger 1, connecting pipes 4, valves 5, internal 14 and external 13covers and segregation partitions 15.

By using the valves 5 this invention differs from the classical Stirlingengine. That is why the changes of state can be nearly completely used.By a careful design of the components, the actual efficiency achievedcan very closely reach the theoretically possible efficiency. The valve5 is only opened after the heating or cooling process has beencompleted. The working gas 2 is able to expand into the working cylinderor compress from the working cylinder 2 on the shortest route.

One difference of this heat engine to conventional heat power plants isthe fact that in conventional plants the working gas or working fluid,e.g. in steam power plants, moves from the warm heat exchanger 1 to coldheat exchanger 1 and back again, however, in this heat engine thelargest part of the working gas remains in the same heat exchanger 1 toalternately be heated or cooled.

Piston 3 of this free moving piston machine is magnetized by permanentmagnets 7 or electrical exciting current and runs in a non-metallicworking cylinder 2, around which an electrical coil 8 is mounted.Thereby the mechanical work is converted without detours, directly intoelectric power. Apart from the friction losses of the free moving piston3, no further mechanical losses arise during the generation of power.

Organic compounds, e.g. ammonia and refrigerants, which are used in heatengines, e.g. ORC plants, can also be meaningfully used in the samemanner in this invention by changes of state of aggregation. This heatengine differs from the conventional ORC plant by the fact thatcondensation and evaporation takes place alternately, within one heatexchanger 1.

Although this invention refers to a heat engine of a type as describedabove the invention specifically refers to a power plant with heattransfer as described below.

A possible build-up of a combined heat and power plant in accordancewith the invention is illustrated in FIG. 10 of the drawings. Here asuitable number of heat engines A, e.g. A1, A2, A3, . . . An arearranged in series. Air 22 provided for combustion is passing as acooling medium the cooled part of the different heat engines A1, A2, A3,. . . An successively and after leaving the last heat engine An isdirected as combustion air to a combustion process in the combustionchamber 25.

The flue gasses 30 from the combustion process in combustion chamber 25is passing through the heated zone of the different heat engines. An . .. A2, A1 in opposite direction and reversed sequence as a cooling medium22, whereas a similar temperature difference, however, with a differenttemperature at each heat engine as roughly illustrated in diagram, FIG.21 of the drawing. The working fluid of each heat engine A is selectedso as to be adapted to the occurring temperatures.

The fuel is stored in a fuel container 26. The fuel container 26 can besuitable for solid fuel (e.g. chipped wood) as a funnel or for liquidfuel or gas designed as a tank. The fuel is transported by means of aconveyer 27 (rotary valves or screw conveyor) with solid fuel intocombustion chamber 25. For solid fuels a combustion grating 28 isprovided, that is constructed in such a manner, that the fuel isoptimally distributed on the surface of the grating.

The cooling and combustion air could be clean ambient air or cooled airor air originating from other processes that is suitable for combustionair for the fuel used. It is boosted with a fan through each heatexchanger 1 of the separate heat exchangers A into the combustionchamber.

While passing through heat exchanger 1 of each of the different heatengines A the temperature of the air rises due to the heat gain from theheat exchangers.

The heated air will be used, after leaving heat exchanger 1 of the lastheat engine An as combustion air. Part of the cooling air will by theuse of dampers be directed partly into the combustion chamber 25 andpartly bypassing it. After the combustion both air streams are combinedand mixed. The dampers 23 are controlled by a temperature controlcircuit, comprising a temperature sensor 31, controller and actuatingmotor 24, in such a manner that a constant temperature of the combustiongas 30 is achieved. The combustion gas 30 will subsequently beidentified as a heating medium.

The heating medium 30 will now be directed into heat exchanger 1 of heatengine An, through which the cooling medium finally passed. Subsequentlythe heating medium wilt pass through all other heat engines A in areversed sequence and direction as the cooling medium. By dissipation ofheat to the heat exchangers 1 the temperature is reduced in each heatexchanger 1. As the temperature decreases in opposite direction as thetemperature of the cooling air rises, more or less the same temperaturedifference will occur in each heat engine A, which is required forconverting heat into work.

The leaving temperature of the heating medium is dependent on the chosennumber of heat engines A, the working fluids, especially in the laststages and the design of the heat engines A. It can be similar to acondensing boiler approximately 50° C. This means that the latent heatof evaporated water in the combustion flue gas 30 also contributes tothe power generation. The higher calorific value of the fuel will beexploited. Also the latent heat used to evaporate water in moist fuelsis not lost.

For the produced condensate out of heat engine A a neutralisation device39 is be provided.

To utilize the remaining heat in the flue gas after leaving the lastheat engine A1 for heating purposes it will be directed into a heatexchanger 35. Water for district heating will be circulated through thesecondary side of the heat exchanger. Should more heat be required forheating purposes as the available remaining heat in the flue gas 30after the last heat engine A1, then the last heat engine can be stoppedto allow the heat to pass unused through it. Should this not besufficient for the heat load the second last heat engine can be stopped.This can be continued until the heat engine An is stopped and the totalheat is used for heating purposes.

The vapour pressure of the working fluid, specially in the first heatengines, through which the flue gases pass, can rise at the hightemperatures sufficiently to damage the construction of the heatexchanger 1, therefore when the heat engine is stopped the flue gassesare not passing the heat exchanger but bypass the heat engine, with theaid of bypass dampers with motor 34, and feed directly into the heatexchanger 35. Bypass dampers with motor 34 are located in front of eachheat engine A, whereas the flue gases are diverted past the followingheat engines to be used for different purposes. The flue gases willfinally directed to a chimney 38. As far as required a flue gas cleaningplant can be provided between the CHP and the chimney 38.

The individual heat engines A—refer to FIG. 20, are equipped with amagnetized piston 3 and their cylinders 2 are fitted with an electricalcoil 8, that electric power can be induced with piston 3. Thereby eachengine A produces a type of alternating current, each with a differentfrequency. This current will be rectified into direct current by arectifier 40 and will be stored in batteries 42, whereas simultaneouslythe direct current is converted into alternating current at mainsfrequency by an inverter 43. For each machine A a separate power cable41 is provided.

As the above described heat engine A is designed in different variationsdifferent variations of heat engines A can be used in this kind of CHP.Therefore it would be advantageous when at very high temperature heatengines are employed that operate with a Stirling cycle and at lowertemperatures heat engines with combined Stirling-Clausius-Rankine cyclesare used.

1. Heat engine, which by means of four changes of states, namely 1)isochoric heat supply 2) isothermal expansion 3) isochoric heatdissipation 4) isothermal compression of an enclosed working gas betweentwo temperature levels performs work, and features the following: atleast three heat exchangers (1A, 1B and 1C), which comprises only oneconnection each, one connecting pipe (4A, 4B and 4C) to a workingcylinder (2) and where each connection is equipped with a valve (5A, 5Bor 5C) and the heat exchangers (1A, 1B and 1C) alternately are enclosedby a heating and a cooling medium flow.
 2. Heat engine according toclaim 1, wherein the heat exchangers (1A, 1B and 1C), connecting pipes(4A, 4B and 4C) and the working cylinder (2) are filled with a workinggas and a free moving piston (3) located in the working cylinder (2),which performs work by expansion and compression of the working gas. 3.Heat engine according to claim 2, wherein the working gas is heated upin the first heat exchanger (1A) by means of an external source to theupper temperature level and by opening the associated first valve (5A)the gas is able to expand into the working cylinder (2) duringcontinuous heat supply and is performing work in there, wherein afterexclusion of the expansion procedure the same valve (5A) closes againand by the external source the first heat exchangers (1A) is cooled downin succession to the lower temperature level while the valve (5A) isclosed.
 4. Heat engine according to claim 3, wherein the working gas iscooled down to the lower temperature level in another second heatexchanger (1B) which is chronologically displaced to the first heatexchanger and after opening the second valve (5B), is compressed withsimultaneous heat transfer to this heat exchanger (1B), wherein thebefore expanded working gas flows out of the working cylinder (2) intothe second heat exchanger (1B) and again performs work with the workingpiston (3), wherein at the time of expansion of the compressionprocedure in the heat exchanger (1B) the second valve (5B) assigned tothis heat exchanger (1B) closes, and with the closed second valve 5B theheat exchanger (1B) is heated up in the further process to the uppertemperature level.
 5. Heat engine according to claim 4, whereinchronologically displaced the working gas is heated up to the uppertemperature level in a further third heat exchanger (1C) by externalheat source and after opening of the third valve (5C) assigned to theheat exchanger (1C) expands with simultaneous heat supply, wherein theworking gas, compressed before, flows out of the third heat exchanger(1C) into the working cylinder (2) and performs work and the third heatexchanger (1C) is in succession cooled down to the lower temperaturelevel with closed third valve (5C) by external source.
 6. Heat engineaccording to claim 5, wherein the enclosed working gas in the first heatexchanger (1A) is cooled down to the low temperature level andcompresses by opening the first valve (5A), assigned to the first heatexchanger (1A), and heat is dissipated during the compression procedureof the first heat exchanger (1A), wherein work is performed in theworking cylinder (2) by compression, and after closing of first valve(5A) the first heat exchanger (1A) is heated up again, wherein similarlyby opening the appropriate second valve (5B), working fluid expands outof the heated up, second heat exchanger (1B), followed by a compressionin the cooled down third heat exchanger (1C).
 7. Heat engine accordingto claim 1, wherein suitable heat exchangers (1) are used to heat up andcool down the working fluid for the certain heating or cooling medium.8. Heat engine according to claim 7, wherein the valves (5A, 5B and 5C)are opened and closed in a specific order and specific rhythm by meansof a cam shaft (6), electric drive or a similar valve actuator (6). 9.Heat engine according to claim 8, wherein the working piston (3) ismagnetized by permanent or excited magnets (7) to transmit work, theworking cylinder (2) is fitted with an electrical coil (8) in such amanner, that by movements of the working piston 3 power is generated,the work of the piston (3) is converted directly into electrical power.10. Heat engine according to claim 9, wherein a pressure balancing tank(9) is attached to the working cylinder (2) on the opposing side of theworking cylinders connections.
 11. Heat engine according to claim 10,wherein a pressure balancing tank (9) is filled with the same workinggas as the heat exchangers (1).
 12. Heat engine according to claim 10,wherein the pressure of the pressure balancing tank (9) is adapted tothe static pressure of the heat exchangers (1A, 1B, 1C).
 13. Heat engineaccording to claim 10, wherein the heat engine can be operatedindependently of the atmospheric pressure with each suitable pressure ofthe working gas.
 14. Heat engine according to claim 1, with any oddnumber of heat exchangers, which are connected to a common workingcylinder (2) by means of connecting pipes (4) and valves (5).
 15. Heatengine according to claim 14, wherein with the same odd number of heatexchangers (1), valves (5) and connections or connecting pipes (4) areconnected to both sides of the working cylinder (2), and wherein theperiod of a cycle on both sides of the working cylinder is identical andthe valves (5) arranged on two sides are actuated in such a manner, thatwith a compression on one side an expansion takes place simultaneouslyon the other side.
 16. Heat engine according to claim 15, having any oddnumber of heat exchangers (1), connections, connecting pipes (4) and thecorresponding valves (5), which are attached to both sides of the sameworking cylinder (2).
 17. Heat engine according to claim (1), where theheating and separately the cooling medium flows simultaneously throughthe heat exchangers (1), which are arranged exactly aligned on oppositeends of the working cylinder (2).
 18. Heat engine according to claim 16,wherein an arrangement of several working cylinders (2), piston (3),connections (4), valves (5) and valve actuators (6) exist, which all areconnected parallel to any number of common heat exchangers (1).
 19. Heatengine according to claim 15, wherein a working gas is used, its boilingpoint being, according to the selected pressure, between the lower andupper temperature level, so that a condensation takes place during theisochoric heat extraction and compression, and evaporation takes placeduring the isochoric heat input and expansion.
 20. Heat engine accordingto claim 15, where heat exchangers (1) all are arranged in a star shapedmanner around the longitudinal axis of the working cylinder (2) and theconnecting pipes (4) are attached alternately to both sides of theworking cylinder (2), where the heat exchangers (1) are rigidlyconnected to the working cylinder (2) and rotate with the same aroundthe common longitudinal axis, so that the individual heat exchangers (1)are immerged half of the rotation in the cooling medium and the otherhalf in the heating medium.
 21. Heat engine according to claim 20,wherein the heat exchangers (1) have a flat construction and the shapeof a disk segment to provide a radiation absorber, and arrangementaround the longitudinal axis of the working cylinder (2), in such amanner that it forms a disk, wherein they are equipped with anradiation-absorbing surface and constructed also for cooling byconvection, since the taken up heat must be transferred again to theenvironment, wherein heat exchanger (1), connecting pipes (4) and valves(5), are rigidly connected with the working cylinder (2) and rotate withthe same one around the common central axis.
 22. Heat engine accordingto claim 21, wherein half of the heat exchangers (1) are exposed toradiation, while the other half of the heat exchangers (1) is beingshadowed.
 23. Heat engine according to claim 21, wherein the shadowingelements are composed from different layers, and the side facing theradiation source has a reflecting surface (23), an insulating layer (21)underneath and on the reverse side a cover layer (24) with grey or darksurface, which absorbs the radiation of the heat exchangers (1) afterbeen shadowed and thus contributes to the removal of the heat byconvection.
 24. Heat engine according to claim 21, wherein the heatexchangers (1), which are exposed to the radiation, are protected by acover against loss by convection and radiation, and wherein the saidcovering is constructed on the front side with a glass (19), side wallsand the back with a multilayer cover (20 to 22), wherein the inside ofthis cover facing the heat exchangers (1) facing layer (22), is curvedand reflecting, while the middle (21) layer is an insulating layer andthe outside layer (20) an enclosure layer.
 25. Heat engine according toclaim 21, wherein the heat exchangers (1) rotate around the centre ofthe absorber annulus, and each heat exchanger (1) thereby alternatelypasses the shading and covering, wherein by doing so they alternatelyare heated up through radiation and are cooled down while beingshadowed, by delivering the environment with heat.
 26. Heat engineaccording to claim 21, wherein the valves (5) are controlled in such amanner that alternately a cooled and warmed up heat exchanger (1) isconnected to the working cylinder (2), in order to perform work byexpansion or compression.
 27. Heat engine according to claim 21 havingodd number heat exchangers (1), which alternately are attached each toone and the other side of the working cylinder (2).
 28. Heat engine withexternal heat source and at least 3 heat exchangers (1) with enclosedworking gas, which are alternately cooled and heated, wherein thethermodynamic changes of state in each heat exchanger (1) are connectedto a working cylinder (2) and valve actuators (5) and (6), and whereinthe successively following changes of state occur: a) isochoric heatsupply, b) isothermal expansion, c) isochoric heat dissipation and d)isothermal compression; wherein said expansion and said compression donot take place with the same working gas, and wherein after expansionfrom a heated heat exchanger (1) into the working cylinder (2), acompression in another cooled heat exchanger (1) follows, and dependingon the heating/cooling procedure, expansion and compression are actuatedby means of valves in between individual heat exchangers (1) and workingcylinder (2).
 29. Heat engine with at least 3 or more closed heatexchangers (1), which perform work together with a working cylinder (2)and working piston (3), wherein an own Stirling cycle takes place ineach heat exchanger (1) with working cylinder (2) and working piston (3)chronologically displaced towards the other heat exchanger (1).
 30. Heatengine according to claim 28, wherein the individual cycles areseparated by the employment of valves (5).
 31. Heat engine according toclaim 28 where the heat exchanger (1) forms a closed space providing aworking fluid, which is further designed for an optimized heat exchangebetween working fluid and environment, wherein a part of the heatexchanger (1) is thermally decoupled from the other part by aninsulating layer (25), which is inserted in between them, wherein onepart is cooled and the other one is heated, wherein a mechanical closingdevice (26) is inserted in between the cooled and heated part, in orderto divide the enclosed space of the heat exchanger (1) into two spacesif necessary, wherein a connective opening in the wall of the heatedpart of the heat exchanger (1) exists where the working fluid is able toflow in and out.
 32. Heat engine according to claim 31, with any numberof heat exchangers (1) star shaped and symmetrically in theirarrangement around a working cylinder (2) and rigidly connected to it,wherein the connective openings of the heat exchangers (1) are connectedto the working cylinder (2) by connections or connecting pipes 4, sothat an exchange of the working gas is possible in between both, whereinone half of the heat exchangers (1) is attached to the facing side ofthe working cylinder (2), the other half to the opposing one, whereinalways one heat exchanger (1) is connected alternately to one side, thenext said heat exchanger (1) connected to the other side, wherein valves(5) are in the connections (4) between heat exchanger (1) and workingcylinder (2), which are operated by means of a valve actuator (6) to beopened and closed, while working cylinder (2), heat exchanger, (1)connecting pipes (4) and valves (5) are rotating around the longitudinalaxis of the working cylinder (2) to describe a rotor.
 33. Heat engineaccording to claim 32, wherein a working gas is used, its boiling pointbeing in between the lower and upper temperature level according to theselected pressure, so that a condensation takes place, while there isthe isochoric heat extraction and compression and an evaporation takesplace while there is the isochoric heat input and expansion.
 34. Heatengine with heat exchangers (1) according to claim 32, wherein thecooled part of the heat exchangers (1) is on the external side and theheated part is on the internal side, wherein the cooled part over halfof the extent is cooled by a cooling medium and the heated part isheated over the opposite half of the extent, while the rotor isrotating, said rotor comprising a heat exchanger (1), working cylinder(2) with piston (3), connecting pipes (4) and valves (5).
 35. Heatengine according to claim 32, with the valve (5) opening and closingtwice, in between each heat exchanger (1) and working cylinder (2)during one rotation of the rotor, once during the cooling procedure andonce during the heating procedure.
 36. Heat engine according to claim32, with the connections being closed in between the cooled and heatedparts of the heat exchangers (1), with a closing device (26) during theheating procedure.
 37. Heat engine according to claim 36, with theinternal heat of the material of the heated part of the heat exchangers(1) being used by circulation of the heating and cooling medium, withina segment briefly after completion of the heating procedure, in order toheat up the cooled part of the heat exchangers (1), within a segmentbriefly after completion of the cooling procedure, in order to minimizea condensation in the cooled part during the heating of the heated part.38. Heat engine according to claim 37, wherein the heated parts of theheat exchangers (1) are designed as radiation absorbers, wherein theheated parts of the heat exchangers (1) are flat and have the form of adisk segment, and in such a manner annular shaped around a centre that adisk is formed, wherein they are equipped with a radiation-absorbingsurface, wherein these radiation absorbers are protected from losses byconvection and radiation by means of a cover that is constructed on thefront side with a glass (19), side walls and the back with a multilayercover (20 to 22), wherein the inside of this cover facing the heatexchangers (1), facing layer (22), is curved and reflecting, while themiddle (21) layer is an insulating layer and the outside layer (20) anenclosure layer.
 39. Heat engine according to claim 36 with at least 3or more closed heat exchangers (1), which perform work together with acommon working cylinder (2) and a working piston (3), wherein its ownStirling cycle combined with a Clausius Rankine similar cycle is takingplace in each heat exchanger (1) with working cylinder (2) and workingpiston (3), chronologically displaced to the other heat exchangers (1).40. Heat engine according to claims 36, having their impact based on thefollowing changes of state in a cycle:
 1. isochoric extraction of heat,2. isobaric condensation,
 3. isothermal compression,
 4. isochoric heatinput,
 5. isobaric evaporation and
 6. isothermal expansion.
 41. Heatengine according to claim 1, connected in series to an arbitrary numberof heat engines (A), wherein a heating medium (30) consisting of fluegases (30) from a combustion process that consecutively pass separateheat engines (A) in a cascade like manner, wherein the temperature ofthe heating medium (30) decreases while passing through the heatexchangers (1) of the heat engines (An to A1) and wherein a coolingmedium (22) which consists of ambient air or other air, passes in acascade like manner through the same heat engines (A1 to An) in oppositedirection and in a reversed sequence, wherein the cooling mediumtemperature increases while passing the heat exchangers (1) of the heatengines (A), wherein the temperature difference between the heating andcooling medium remains more or less constant, and every heat engine (A)performs work and thereby generates electric power, wherein the coolingmedium is utilized as combustion air (22) in a combustion process afterexiting the last heat engine (A) of the cascade, and wherein the heatingmedium (30) is utilized for heating purposes or other heat consumersafter exiting the last heat engine (A1).
 42. Heat engine according toclaim 1, connected in series to an arbitrary number of heat engines (A)according to claim 1, wherein a heating medium (30) consisting of fluegases (30) from waste heat from other processes that consecutively passseparate heat engines (A) in a cascade like manner, wherein thetemperature of the heating medium (30) decreases while passing throughthe heat exchangers (1) of the heat engines (An to A1) and wherein acooling medium (22) which consists of ambient air or other air, passesin a cascade like manner through the same heat engines (A1 to An) inopposite direction and in a reversed sequence, wherein the coolingmedium temperature increases while passing the heat exchangers (1) ofthe heat engines (A), wherein the temperature difference between theheating and cooling medium remains more or less constant, and every heatengine (A) performs work and thereby generates electric power, whereinthe heating medium (30) is utilized for heating purposes or other heatconsumers after exiting the last heat engine (A1).